Homeowners insurance is essential for protecting your home and personal belongings, but it’s important to understand what it covers and what it doesn’t to avoid surprises when filing a claim.
What Homeowners Insurance Covers:
- Dwelling Protection: Covers the physical structure of your home in case of damage from perils like fire, windstorms, hail, or vandalism.
- Personal Property: Protects your belongings, such as furniture, electronics, and clothing, if damaged or stolen.
- Liability Coverage: Provides financial protection if someone is injured on your property and sues for damages.
- Additional Living Expenses: Covers temporary living costs, like hotel bills, if your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss.
What Homeowners Insurance Doesn’t Cover:
- Floods: Damage from flooding typically requires separate flood insurance.
- Earthquakes: Earthquake coverage is not standard and usually needs to be added as a rider or separate policy.
- Wear and Tear: Routine maintenance and damage from neglect are not covered.
- High-Value Items: Certain expensive items, like jewelry or art, may have limited coverage unless additional protection is purchased.
Understanding your homeowners insurance policy’s coverage limits and exclusions will help ensure that you’re properly protected. Consider purchasing additional policies for gaps like floods or earthquakes based on your location and needs.